Insert state name here Fun facts here! Access is the Answer Advocacy Campaign: October 2015 Launch Presented by the NACHC Advocacy Team October 20, 2015

How to participate or ask a question Use the chat box at the right of the screen to ask a question at any time during the webinar. We want to hear all of your questions! We try to answer them all as time permits.

Agenda Access is the Answer fall focus Review of action steps 1.Leveraging social media 2.Hosting local meetings 3.Advocacy capacity building 4.Leveraging local media Legislative update- FTCA for volunteers Upcoming advocacy webinars Questions You may ask questions using the chat box at any time!

MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Why “Access is the Answer”? High- Quality Where will everyone go to receive care? Cost- effective Where will the savings come from to reduce health care spending? Local How can we maintain local control over our health care and create jobs?

As we celebrate great achievements this year, we also recognize more than ever before that Health Centers and the patients they serve cannot afford to lose any advocacy ground. To help ensure we continue on a path of advocacy success the Access is the Answer campaign will continue to serve as the primary advocacy campaign for America’s Health Centers. The campaign will release updated action steps each quarter with the simple goals: to operationalize advocacy at every health center and to cultivate the power and influence of health center advocacy across the nation. Access is the Answer Campaign

Four new action steps will focus on: Expressing public appreciation to Congressional Members and other supporters Sharing what recent investments in the Health Center Program have meant to Health Centers locally Access is the Answer Campaign

ACTION STEPS

Engage MOCs on Social Media “Social media is the ultimate equalizer. It gives a voice and a platform to anyone willing to engage.” #AccessIsTheAnswer

Goals for social media engagement: To demonstrate the value of continued investment in health centers To show appreciation to Members of Congress who have supported Health Centers and the passage of H.R. 2 To take a modern approach to advocacy Engage MOCs on Social Media

What to highlight on social media: Demonstrate what new funding means to your health center and the community it serves: (expanded medical capacity grants, health infrastructure grants, New Access Points, and Base Grant Adjustments) Sharing local news that highlights your health center while engaging local media Engage MOCs on Social Media

Arrange Local Meetings with Elected Officials Set up meetings back home with Congressional staff and other elected officials and community leaders who have supported health centers Tell your investment story!

Recruit New Advocates to Build Capacity GOAL: Sign up 100% of your health center’s staff and board Two ways to accomplish: –Send to CHC staff and board asking them to sign up and provide direct link to online advocate sign-up form –Send list of employees/board members and their contact information to NACHC for direct import; follow up with Is this legal? Yes! Why do we need to increase capacity? –Building our advocacy network ensures that we are in the best position possible to take action on issues coming down the pike!

Publish LTEs or OpEds in Local Media One of the very best ways to capture the attention for your Members of Congress and raise awareness in the community about the invaluable work of the Health Center – LOCAL MEDIA COVERAGE! Tailor, submit, and publish a Letter to the Editor (LTE) or Opinion Editorial (OpEd) celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of the Health Centers Program and showcasing what recent investments in the Program have meant to YOUR Health Center and community

HEALTH CENTERS’ SUCCESS & OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE DEPEND ON THE STRENGH OF OUR ADVOCACY. Local connection is the key to policy change – build relationships and demonstrate impact over time. Advocacy requires ACTION – the key is to develop a sustained culture of advocacy in your center. The challenges ahead are many, as are the opportunities. We have to take them on TOGETHER. Advocacy: The Bottom Line

In Case You Need Proof… YOU & YOUR ACTIONS Define the Power of Advocacy

Questions? If you have a question, be sure to type it in the chat box on the right side of your screen!

OTHER UPDATES

Legislative Update: FTCA for Volunteers Bill Last week, Senators Thune (R-SD) and Casey (D-PA) reintroduced legislation that would extend Health Centers’ current medical malpractice protection under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA) to providers who volunteer their time providing care at the Health Center S is identical to legislation that has passed the House in previous sessions of Congress, but not the Senate Read more at

Upcoming advocacy webinars El poder de los medios sociales –Join us on Thursday October 29th at 3PM ET for a new webinar completely in Spanish about various social media platforms, their principal users, and how you can be an online advocate for your health center. Advocacy Legalese –On Wednesday, November 4th at 2PM ET, the advocacy team will host an Advocacy Legalese webinar with legal experts from Feldsman-Tucker law firm. The webinar will focus on what health centers need to know to be compliant with IRS, federal, and state regulations when conducting advocacy and civic engagement work.

Staff contact information Amanda Pears Kelly National Advocacy Director (office) Elizabeth Kwasnik Manager of Grassroots Advocacy (office) Alex Harris Grassroots Advocacy Manager for Special Populations (office) Dorian Wanzer Manager of Grassroots Advocacy Outreach and Communications (office)